Acts 8:9 Meaning and Explanation
“But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A man named Simon has long practiced sorcery in the city, astonishing the people and giving out that he is someone great.
What Does Acts 8:9 Mean?
Before Philip arrived, Samaria already had a wonder-worker. For years Simon's sorceries had astonished the city, and he tended the awe deliberately, 'giving out that himself was some great one.'
Simon is the photographic negative of Philip. One uses power to magnify himself; the other heralds Christ and disappears behind the message. The difference between sorcery and ministry is not only the source of the power but the direction of the glory. Everyone who serves God must face Simon's question eventually: whose greatness is this work announcing?
Acts 8:9 in the Original Language
mageuo (μαγεύω), 'use sorcery' -- to practice magic.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 8:9
What does Acts 8:9 mean?
A man named Simon has long practiced sorcery in the city, astonishing the people and giving out that he is someone great.